How a Texas Monthly Writer Wound Up Writing Billy Graham’s Biography
William Martin’s journey from Rice professor to Billy Graham expert began with a simple assignment, one that would alter his life for decades to come.
Religion
Politics & Policy
March 28, 2022
A Fundamentalist East Texas Church Bought a Sawmill. Injuries and Child Labor Violations Began to Pile Up.
Almost 25 percent of severe injuries at mills in the state since 2017 have occurred at a single facility, owned by members of the Church of Wells.
Books
June 22, 2021
Debut Novelist Kelsey McKinney on Losing Her Religion and Leaving Texas
A conversation with the author of the moving and assured ‘God Spare the Girls.’
Art
February 16, 2021
Flying Nuns, Wild Hogs, and Bible Camp Apocalypse: Jennifer May Reiland Paints a Texas Revelation
The Houston-born painter explores questions of faith alongside the myths and legends of Texas history.
Being Texan
July 2, 2020
Nine Texas Faith Leaders on How to Find Hope and Fight Injustice
We asked leaders from across the state and the religious spectrum to share their best words of wisdom.
Being Texan
April 23, 2020
“It Seems Almost Impossible to Have the Same Spiritual Connection”: Texas Muslims Prepare for a Remote Ramadan
Mosques are exempt from Governor Greg Abbott's "stay at home" order, but many have opted to stay closed for the Muslim holy month.
Politics & Policy
December 30, 2019
The Best Texas Monthly Longform of 2019
Settle in for a by-no-means comprehensive list of some of the most popular stories in our pages this year.
Music
November 18, 2019
Kanye West, Joel Osteen, Kim Kardashian, and Dan Patrick All Hung Out in Houston This Weekend
Their beautiful dark twisted fantasy.
Politics & Policy
September 12, 2019
Churchy Chicken: Why the Religious Right Won’t Stop Talking About Chick-fil-A
At a meeting of Texas social conservatives, all anyone wanted to talk about (and eat) was Chick-fil-A
Politics & Policy
July 23, 2019
Trump’s Apostle
No matter how incendiary his latest tweet or policy might seem, Donald Trump can count on evangelical preacher and Fox News fixture Robert Jeffress to defend him. What’s behind the Dallas pastor’s unconditional embrace?
Being Texan
April 24, 2019
Faith, Friendship, and Tragedy at Santa Fe High
Sabika Sheikh, a Muslim exchange student from Pakistan with dreams of changing the world, struck up an unlikely friendship with an evangelical Christian girl. The two became inseparable—until the day a fellow student opened fire.
Being Texan
April 17, 2019
The Beauty of Semana Santa in the Rio Grande Valley
With its mixture of American and Mexican heritage, South Texas does Holy Week like nowhere else.
News & Politics
January 31, 2019
Catholic Church Begins Releasing Names of Texas-Based Clergy Accused of Sexually Abusing Minors
The 23-page report outlines details of 56 priests dating back to 1940.
Border & Immigration
November 18, 2018
The Power Issue: Sister Norma Pimentel Is Demonstrating the Power of Mercy and Charity
The McAllen nun fights fiercely for the dignity of immigrants.
The Culture
November 12, 2018
The Power Issue: Beth Moore Is Forcing Evangelical Christianity to Get Woke
The wildly popular Houston author and speaker is staring down the ”sin” and ”ungodliness” in her own denomination.
The Culture
November 1, 2018
Honoring My Loved Ones on Día de los Muertos
I've struggled to keep my grandma and aunt with me since their deaths. But this year, I decided to honor their memories—and show them my life as an adult—by making my first día de los muertos altar.
Border & Immigration
June 20, 2018
Does the Bible Justify Family Separation at the Border?
A day before Jeff Sessions and Sarah Huckabee Sanders used the Bible to justify separating immigrant families, a resolution from the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas had already contradicted them.
The Culture
May 9, 2018
Wil Gafney: Create Structures to Check Power and Hold Leaders Accountable
"The procedures to protect women have to be institutionalized and standardized. If your model for authority and leadership is that whatever the pastor in charge says goes, then you don’t have accountability."
Texas History
April 6, 2018
The Raid on YFZ Ranch, Ten Years Later
A decade after the largest custody battle in U.S. history, some of those involved speak about their memories.
News & Politics
March 26, 2018
At Bible Study With David Koresh’s Last Followers
Branch Davidians Clive Doyle and Sheila Martin lost almost everything in the Waco fire, but not their faith.
March 21, 2018
The FBI Agent Who Can’t Stop Thinking About Waco
A quarter century after 82 Branch Davidians and 4 federal officers died outside Waco, retired FBI agent Byron Sage still can't stop thinking—and arguing—about what happened.
Books
February 21, 2018
The Benevolence of Father T.J.
The founder of Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prep in Houston's last gift to his students—and to all of us—was his wisdom.
The Daily Post
November 12, 2017
The Sermon on the Sunday After
After the Sutherland Springs shooting, church leaders in Texas grapple with safety and encouragement.
The Daily Post
November 6, 2017
What We Know About the Sutherland Springs Church Shooting
Details continue to emerge about the shooting in Sutherland Springs. Here's what we know so far.
Film & TV
November 2, 2017
The Church of the SubGenius Finally Plays It Straight
In 1980, two nerds in Dallas started their own religion. Forty years later, SubGenius founder Ivan Stang and filmmaker Sandy K. Boone reveal the true story of the long con.
October 18, 2017
The Search for a Saint in San Angelo
San Angelo makes its case for María de Jesús de Ágreda to the Vatican.
Energy
October 17, 2017
The Battle Between Small-Town Churches and Sharyland
Moving electricity through West Texas comes at a steep price.
October 4, 2017
The Year of Jen Hatmaker
The Texas evangelical leader landed herself in hot water over comments about the LGBTQ community. But the blowback prompted a bigger discussion: What does it mean to be an evangelical today?
The Daily Post
August 29, 2017
After Social Media Pressure, Joel Osteen Opens His Doors to Harvey Victims
Joel Osteen's megachurch is finally opening its doors, but only after a social media storm.
Sports
June 21, 2017
Jerry Jones Met With The Pope
The pontiff did not weigh in on if Dez caught the ball during the 2015 playoff game against the Green Bay Packers (but come on, it was a catch).
Politics & Policy
June 5, 2017
Lawmakers Embraced Religion to Allow Discrimination
What are “sincerely held religious beliefs?” Nobody really knows.
Religion
May 24, 2017
Critical Mass
An Austin church remakes Catholicism without the Pope, celibate priests, or most of the other rules.
Politics & Policy
March 20, 2017
Frisco ISD Fights Back on Ken Paxton’s Claims About Muslim Prayer Room
Paxton defends questioning Muslim prayer room on "Fox and Friends."
Border & Immigration
February 3, 2017
The Muslim Bloc
A view from Muslim Capitol Day in turbulent times.
The Culture
November 23, 2016
The Sisters of Prayer Town
In Oldham County, off U.S. 385.
Style & Design
September 23, 2016
Cross Ways
A pastor at a Corpus Christi church is on a mission to build “the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere.”
Politics & Policy
August 11, 2016
Remember the Christian Alamo
Evangelist Lester Roloff drew a line in the dirt to keep the State of Texas from regulating his Rebekah Home for Girls. Years later, then-govenor George W. Bush handed Roloff's disciples a long-sought victory. But this Alamo had no heroes—only victims.
The Culture
July 20, 2016
Faith and Hope
The country’s largest group of Muslims live in Texas, yet many of them don’t feel welcome here. A few young and progressive leaders—like Irving imam Omar Suleiman—are working to change that.
Politics & Policy
June 23, 2016
Hondo’s “God’s Country” Signs Come Under Scrutiny
The Freedom From Religion Foundation demands their removal citing the First Amendment, but do the signs really make non-believers feel unwelcome?
Texas History
June 13, 2016
Bane of the Baptists
Editors’ note: As we approach our fiftieth anniversary, in February 2023, we will, every week, highlight an important story from our past and offer some perspective on it. Brann becomes a casualty in his own war with the Baptists. Texas Collection of Baylor University“In the year of
The Culture
June 9, 2016
The Newer Testament
How a computer-loving Texas Tech grad launched one of the fastest-growing megachurches in the country.
Politics & Policy
May 23, 2016
A Harris County GOP Precinct Chair Tried To Block A Muslim Man From Serving In The Same Role
That’s one way to do outreach to voters who may feel alienated by the presumptive Republican nominee for President.
The Daily Post
March 14, 2016
The Olympic Fencer Asked To Remove Her Hijab At SXSW Is About More Than Intolerance
The festival apologized, but the issue isn’t just racial insensitivity.
Politics & Policy
February 19, 2016
Pope Francis On Trump
The pontiff becomes the Republican frontrunner's latest antagonist.
Politics & Policy
December 24, 2015
Governor Abbott Had A Bill Of Rights “Nativity” Scene Removed From The Capitol
The display was to promote the separation of church and state, but it seems the governor missed that point.
The Daily Post
December 1, 2015
Dallas Has Become A Battleground Over Syrian Refugees, But Its Mayor Wants To Hold The Door Open
His comments about Syrian refugees have gotten him national attention and could push more Texans to follow his lead.
Border & Immigration
November 24, 2015
Greg Abbott Loves Small Government—Until He Doesn’t Like What People Do With It
According to the governor, local mayors aren’t allowed to ban firearms in their city halls, and religious charities can only help people he approves of.
Essay
November 18, 2015
The Will of God
I always knew that the work my dad did as an Episcopal priest and grief counselor was important. But I didn’t understand how important until the birth of my son.
The Daily Post
September 16, 2015
Irving Ninth Grader Handcuffed, Suspended For Bringing A Homemade Clock To School
What Ahmed Mohamed's case tells us about the American dream.
Politics & Policy
August 17, 2015
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller Posted A Facebook Meme Suggesting “The Muslim World” Be Nuked
The deep fryer defender’s social media profile has since deleted the threatening image.